2009 - BEST OF THE BEST SNEAKERS

STEVE VOGEL - GERMANY
BLACK LODGES

My all time favourite sneaker this year, not just based on time worn but on all other accounts, is the Chuck Taylor ‘Chuck’ Lo in black/white. In comparison to other sneakers it actually doesn’t matter if the shoe gets trashed, walked on, beer and motor oil spilled on it or whatever. On the contrary, in my opinion it actually enhances the feel of the shoe. In a way a Chuck is like a good pair of raw denims. Each one is individual and each mark tells a story of its wearer.

With a pair of chucks you are ‘dressed’ up for every occasion, you can wear them with a suit, shorts, at the beach, at a gig, no matter the weather, no matter what you are doing or wearing, you are always dressed. I love it, it is so uncomplicated and reassuring, it’s the no-nonsense, no frills, post-recession minimalism fuck you shit kicker. Whilst other dudes worry about their kicks I’m already out the door concentrating on the next task.

Granted, there have been some killer releases this past year, and especially since my buddy opened his sneaker store Allike here in my neighborhood, I get to see most of them. If I had to choose some runners I would have to go for the recent Vans x HUF collab and the Clae x Stussy release. Killer shoes, no doubt about it, but nothing beats this old pair of chucks for me.